Asi’s return gets mixed reaction

Fil-Tongan Asi Taulava drew a standing ovation from PBA fans last night as he entered the Philsports Arena for the first time in a long while, wearing the same Mobiline jersey and energizing the league as he did as the spearhead of Fil-Ams two years ago.

Although most of the PBA watchers and officials agreed that his return would be a big boost to the league, there were some reservations on the manner his clearance had been worked out by team officials with the Justice Department.

"It’s relatively fast. I think faster than the normal process the other Fil-Ams went through. I wasn’t surprised though that he got his papers. I was surprised he got it that fast," said Pop Cola board representative and team manager Elmer Yanga.

Former PBA chairman Rey Gamboa of Shell said it would be good for the league "as long as his papers are in order. I think they are, that’s why he was cleared but the board will still have to go over them," he said.

Acting PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios felt that paper works on the Taulava case were not done in haste but through due process. "I believe they work on it even before Asi flew in, so siguro hindi ganoon kabilis iyung proseso. Justice Secretary Nani Perez affixed his name on the document, hindi naman niya siguro ilalagay sa alanganin ang pangalan niya," Barrios said.

Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao also said the return of the Fil-Tongan behemoth would further add to the popularity of the PBA and elevate the level of competition a notch higher but maintained that there should not be something dubious on the manner Asi’s clearance was secured "otherwise it would be a mockery of the rules."

One PBA board member said Taulava’s case may be tackled when PBA chairman Iggy Yenko convenes the board in its regular monthly meeting Monday at the Manila Golf Club.

Meanwhile, David Wood dished out another impressive outing with a second straight double-double job as Purefoods made it two in a row in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup with an 89-82 win over Pop Cola last night at the Philsports Arena.